this goodbye thing is really starting to stink. Yesterday Leslie hosted a little goodbye party at her house. I was doing alright until Lauren hugged me and made a bit of a cry-like noise. Then I lost it. By the time I hugged Les goodbye, I was pretty much a sobbing wreck...who had to drive the car. It's hard to say goodbye, but it's also nice to have relationships that mean enough to make you cry. And it's not like we are leaving forever, never to be seen again (I hope!!).
Kind of got me thinking about way back when people used to leave their families. It would sometimes be forever. They would head off, sometimes never to go back home again....I can't really imagine that at all. We are so blessed to live in an age of instant communication with the internet, cheap long distance and air travel. Goodbye isn't for ever anymore, it's more of a *until we meet again*. However, that doesn't make it any easier to say.
I think the kids are stressed, life isn't that normal right now at all. I would be stressed too if I were them....but I'm not stressed today! I had to use up the gift certificate that Dad gave me for my birthday today (had to, it was tough). I had a wonderful 3 hours at the spa today! A lovely facial and an hour long massage. I was a little worried how Norah would do with me being gone that long, but she was great. Feeling so good right now, aside from saying goodbye to my sister and Dad tonight. It does help that they aren't the most emotional goodbye-ers around.
Lots to do tomorrow though, so I'm sure I'll be stressed again in no time...oh yeah, and dinner with Rob's family. More goodbyes.
Monday, January 31, 2005
Friday, January 28, 2005
headsplitter of a day
I should have known that yesterday would suck when Norah threw up as soon as I put her in the car.
We are tired and sore. 2 days of frantic last minute packing and organizing and errand-running will do that. Mix in a tiny bit of sleep (for all 4 of us)....not a good recipe. Anyhow, by noon I was calling the BC nurse line to ask how deep a cut needed to be to need stitches. Isaac had fallen at my mom's and split his forhead open on her tv stand. Blood all over. Nice. It wasn't that bad, but I took him and Norah down to the parkade to head out for stitches...and slammed 3 of his fingers in the door of the car. Can you say guilt? Anyhow, fingers were ok. Head was ok after some surgical glue. No naps for anyone though. Long, tiring day. In short, it sucked. And while all this was going on at my mom's, Rob was at the house dealing with the packer.
So strange to see all your stuff boxed up.
It's all getting moved out as I'm typing this. Today is a better day with the kids. I could use a nap, but we did make it out to the grocery store! Can't wait to get the house emptied out and cleaned....then we move on!
We are tired and sore. 2 days of frantic last minute packing and organizing and errand-running will do that. Mix in a tiny bit of sleep (for all 4 of us)....not a good recipe. Anyhow, by noon I was calling the BC nurse line to ask how deep a cut needed to be to need stitches. Isaac had fallen at my mom's and split his forhead open on her tv stand. Blood all over. Nice. It wasn't that bad, but I took him and Norah down to the parkade to head out for stitches...and slammed 3 of his fingers in the door of the car. Can you say guilt? Anyhow, fingers were ok. Head was ok after some surgical glue. No naps for anyone though. Long, tiring day. In short, it sucked. And while all this was going on at my mom's, Rob was at the house dealing with the packer.
So strange to see all your stuff boxed up.
It's all getting moved out as I'm typing this. Today is a better day with the kids. I could use a nap, but we did make it out to the grocery store! Can't wait to get the house emptied out and cleaned....then we move on!
Saturday, January 22, 2005
good news/bad news
good news: there will be lattes in Meadow Lake! My espresso machine is fixed and back home again. Needed a new pump and some seals. Not cheap, but way cheaper than a new machine. Not bad for a 10 year old machine I got for free at work.
bad news: we have to stay in Vancouver until Feb. 1. That is the earliest we can get the boy in for a speech assessment. After talking to one of the speech pathologists in North Battleford, the wait there would be over a year, so I guess a couple of more days won't be that bad. Just annoying to have to live out of a suitcase for longer. Now if we can only get our furniture arrival to work out.....
On the whole speech thing anyhow....I'm of two minds about it. Since he's been on the wait list for assessment, his vocab has totally exploded and his sentence length has taken off. Great, right...but I still worry. His pronounciation is not where it could be, beyond the typical toddler-speak. I know it's not likely to be a hearing problem, with a kid that has never had any ear infections and can pick out most songs by the first few notes. I think where I do worry is that he does have really strange learning patterns - really ahead in some areas, and not quite there in others. I'm a mom though, so it's my job to worry. But this alphabet/number thing he has is really not typical. I haven't yet met another kid who could identify all his letters at 25 months, most of his peers are nowhere near that yet. Not to mention his counting...forward and backward to 12 and forward to 23, and to 7 in Spanish. Ok, for the Spanish I give credit to Dora the Explorer. :)
I think that it's probably just worth a check to make sure he's doing ok, or how we can best support and encourage his learning style, which doesn't seem to be totally typical. Who knows, maybe we have a genius on our hands....either way, I think just getting a professional opinion will be a good thing. Just a pain that we can't do it earlier. On the upside, maybe we can do a going away party-thingy to be able to say goodbye to friends...
bad news: we have to stay in Vancouver until Feb. 1. That is the earliest we can get the boy in for a speech assessment. After talking to one of the speech pathologists in North Battleford, the wait there would be over a year, so I guess a couple of more days won't be that bad. Just annoying to have to live out of a suitcase for longer. Now if we can only get our furniture arrival to work out.....
On the whole speech thing anyhow....I'm of two minds about it. Since he's been on the wait list for assessment, his vocab has totally exploded and his sentence length has taken off. Great, right...but I still worry. His pronounciation is not where it could be, beyond the typical toddler-speak. I know it's not likely to be a hearing problem, with a kid that has never had any ear infections and can pick out most songs by the first few notes. I think where I do worry is that he does have really strange learning patterns - really ahead in some areas, and not quite there in others. I'm a mom though, so it's my job to worry. But this alphabet/number thing he has is really not typical. I haven't yet met another kid who could identify all his letters at 25 months, most of his peers are nowhere near that yet. Not to mention his counting...forward and backward to 12 and forward to 23, and to 7 in Spanish. Ok, for the Spanish I give credit to Dora the Explorer. :)
I think that it's probably just worth a check to make sure he's doing ok, or how we can best support and encourage his learning style, which doesn't seem to be totally typical. Who knows, maybe we have a genius on our hands....either way, I think just getting a professional opinion will be a good thing. Just a pain that we can't do it earlier. On the upside, maybe we can do a going away party-thingy to be able to say goodbye to friends...
Friday, January 21, 2005
it's getting close
This whole move thing is getting closer faster than I thought it would. Now, logically, time passes at it's usual pace, but this month is really going quickly. Today, I had my first real start at tears over leaving. I think it's finally starting to sink in that we are leaving. I had a little emotional moment as I said goodbye to my hairdresser. My hairdresser. Really. She is wonderful, I have been seeing her for over 2 years now. I just wouldn't have guessed that she would be the first person that I said goodbye to that brought me to tears. (shallow thought alert - now, what if I can't find a good hairdresser in Meadow Lake? Someone who understands my hair and gives me great cuts that grow out as nicely as they look the day I get it cut?? I know, get over it, it's just hair. Then again, there was the great hair fiasco of 2001....)
Oh yeah, after getting the body work done on our car this week, guess who backs up into a wall in a parkade. Rob assured me that the damage is very minimal....but I still feel like a moron....
tomorrow will be better, I'm getting my espresso machine back! Also a playdate with the Yummy Mommies and kids, Sebastian, Baz, Ella, Gracie and Maddie. Yay!
Oh yeah, after getting the body work done on our car this week, guess who backs up into a wall in a parkade. Rob assured me that the damage is very minimal....but I still feel like a moron....
tomorrow will be better, I'm getting my espresso machine back! Also a playdate with the Yummy Mommies and kids, Sebastian, Baz, Ella, Gracie and Maddie. Yay!
Thursday, January 13, 2005
seriously...
after I mention that Meadow Lake is lacking in the coffee department, how many people are going to tell me that I should open a coffee shop "for something to do"??? I'm sure they are well-meaning, but last time I checked I had 2 kids under age 3. Between them and creating a home for their father who will be working a priest's hours, I somehow don't think I'll be on the lookout for lots of things to do....
Sunday, January 09, 2005
baptism day
We had Norah baptised today. It went well for the most part. Unfortunately, her Godparents couldn't make it. Monika called on Saturday, Paul and the girls were all sick. Totally fair reason for not making it out! I'm also glad they didn't share the sickness with us...but then again, we have had our own cold-like issues around here. I think I'm next. Anyhow, we had Jinx and Val stand in for them, we figured that as Isaac's Godparents they would be a good stand in!
Norah was great, if hungry at her big moment in the service. She was totally trying to have a snack. Fortunately, my finger held her over until we could be in more private surroundings. :) She was crying a bit when John took her, then totally stopped when he poured the water on her head. She was completely stunned, it was pretty cute. People after commented that she was so mesmerized by John...but Rob and I know the truth. She was making her "where the heck am I?" face.
I'm really glad we didn't do anything major for the baptism. I was really tired afterwards. It's a major accomplishment getting 4 people up, fed, dressed and out the door by 8:45 am! Especially when it's almost -10 and we have to really scrape the windows, warm up the car, and drive on uncleared roads. Darn snow. Love to look at it...but driving around here is a pain with the hills!
Isaac sort of used his potty tonight. He actually went *on* the potty. Poor Rob, he was dealing with him when it happened. He did get Isaac to help him clean up...guess we will be teaching him how to lift the lid!
Again today we heard lots about how great people in Saskatchewan are. I hope so! Can't believe it will only be 3 weeks until we leave. Today on the drive to church, I turned off 16th on to Hemlock...the view of the mountains was amazing. I will miss that for sure. Then again, I can't wait for the quiet of a small town either!
Norah was great, if hungry at her big moment in the service. She was totally trying to have a snack. Fortunately, my finger held her over until we could be in more private surroundings. :) She was crying a bit when John took her, then totally stopped when he poured the water on her head. She was completely stunned, it was pretty cute. People after commented that she was so mesmerized by John...but Rob and I know the truth. She was making her "where the heck am I?" face.
I'm really glad we didn't do anything major for the baptism. I was really tired afterwards. It's a major accomplishment getting 4 people up, fed, dressed and out the door by 8:45 am! Especially when it's almost -10 and we have to really scrape the windows, warm up the car, and drive on uncleared roads. Darn snow. Love to look at it...but driving around here is a pain with the hills!
Isaac sort of used his potty tonight. He actually went *on* the potty. Poor Rob, he was dealing with him when it happened. He did get Isaac to help him clean up...guess we will be teaching him how to lift the lid!
Again today we heard lots about how great people in Saskatchewan are. I hope so! Can't believe it will only be 3 weeks until we leave. Today on the drive to church, I turned off 16th on to Hemlock...the view of the mountains was amazing. I will miss that for sure. Then again, I can't wait for the quiet of a small town either!
Thursday, January 06, 2005
sick kids?
I think both kids have a cold or something. They both woke up snuffly with snotty noses...nice. Norah is taking extra naps...Isaac, of course isn't napping at all. I need a nap myself. Hard morning playing cars with the boy. Ok, actually it was really fun.
I loved waking up and seeing the snow falling. Made me so glad we had nowhere to go at all and a breakfast ready to pop in the oven. After Rob made crazy numbers of phone calls, we took the kids outside to try out the winter gear. As I don't have boots, this was going to be fun! Isaac and Rob had a great time playing in the snow. His (Isaac's that is) boots and snowpants were great...if only we can keep his mittens on his hands. Rob was pleased with his boots too. Norah decided she wanted nothing but to go inside and nurse.
I managed to get a box of toys packed up and put away, while playing cars. We need to get the moving company to get us some boxes so we can really start packing. I'm feeling the need to get going already! Rob has been making lots of calls about the ordination service, and been getting lots organized with John Oakes. So many details...but we do have an organist! That is good news - and he's good too. There is just so much to be worked out though...it's the good kind of stress :) I think this whole move is actually the good stress kind.
Rob got a call today from Pete Molloy. He is a priest in our new diocese and a Regent grad. Rob has actually heard from Pete before, when they tried to recruit him a few years back. Pete graduated the year after Rob started at Regent (I think that's right) and he is in town in the next week or so. Wanted to get together with Rob and do the coffee thing. That will be good to do I think - get some insider info on stuff!
Funny - there was an article about Rob in the Saskatchewan diocese's webpage. Well, the title was funny to us. http://www.saskatchewan.anglican.org/ It's in the news section. Had us laughing....ok, off to get dinner happening.
I loved waking up and seeing the snow falling. Made me so glad we had nowhere to go at all and a breakfast ready to pop in the oven. After Rob made crazy numbers of phone calls, we took the kids outside to try out the winter gear. As I don't have boots, this was going to be fun! Isaac and Rob had a great time playing in the snow. His (Isaac's that is) boots and snowpants were great...if only we can keep his mittens on his hands. Rob was pleased with his boots too. Norah decided she wanted nothing but to go inside and nurse.
I managed to get a box of toys packed up and put away, while playing cars. We need to get the moving company to get us some boxes so we can really start packing. I'm feeling the need to get going already! Rob has been making lots of calls about the ordination service, and been getting lots organized with John Oakes. So many details...but we do have an organist! That is good news - and he's good too. There is just so much to be worked out though...it's the good kind of stress :) I think this whole move is actually the good stress kind.
Rob got a call today from Pete Molloy. He is a priest in our new diocese and a Regent grad. Rob has actually heard from Pete before, when they tried to recruit him a few years back. Pete graduated the year after Rob started at Regent (I think that's right) and he is in town in the next week or so. Wanted to get together with Rob and do the coffee thing. That will be good to do I think - get some insider info on stuff!
Funny - there was an article about Rob in the Saskatchewan diocese's webpage. Well, the title was funny to us. http://www.saskatchewan.anglican.org/ It's in the news section. Had us laughing....ok, off to get dinner happening.
10 pm
Kids in bed, Rob is out and I'm on the computer. Peace and quiet - how nice! I'm catching up on the posts on www.gentlemothering.com My hang-out, reference and resource for parenting issues. Love that site...
Anyhow, more shopping today. Long underwear and wool socks. How sexy! I haven't got boots yet, there doesn't seem to be any warm enough boots in the Lower Mainland right now - most places seem to have shipped them off to colder parts of Canada. Might have to wait until we get to Kamloops or Edmonton or something. I just hope I can find cute ones! Is that too much to ask?
I'm feeling a little torn about all that is going on right now. We were at the Vibe on Sunday (minus Isaac, who was playing with Auntie Kendra) and it was sad knowing it would be our last service with these people. Then again, not sad at all, but excited to leave. To go to our new home, not excited to leave the people here. It's strange though, I think that God has really been preparing us to go for a while now. We have both been feeling like we have been...I don't know how to word it...distanced?...from people/things lately. Not in a bad way, but more in a "hey, us two are in this together" kind of way. (scratching head...not sure if that's what I meant) We have referred to the last few years as our wandering in the wilderness years...wait, does that make Saskatchewan the Promised Land? that would be too funny. I'll have to reflect on that one....
Anyhow, more shopping today. Long underwear and wool socks. How sexy! I haven't got boots yet, there doesn't seem to be any warm enough boots in the Lower Mainland right now - most places seem to have shipped them off to colder parts of Canada. Might have to wait until we get to Kamloops or Edmonton or something. I just hope I can find cute ones! Is that too much to ask?
I'm feeling a little torn about all that is going on right now. We were at the Vibe on Sunday (minus Isaac, who was playing with Auntie Kendra) and it was sad knowing it would be our last service with these people. Then again, not sad at all, but excited to leave. To go to our new home, not excited to leave the people here. It's strange though, I think that God has really been preparing us to go for a while now. We have both been feeling like we have been...I don't know how to word it...distanced?...from people/things lately. Not in a bad way, but more in a "hey, us two are in this together" kind of way. (scratching head...not sure if that's what I meant) We have referred to the last few years as our wandering in the wilderness years...wait, does that make Saskatchewan the Promised Land? that would be too funny. I'll have to reflect on that one....
Wednesday, January 05, 2005
Oh my goodness...we are going to be living here really soon! Crazy. But exciting. Isn't it cute???
Posted by Hello
Sunday, January 02, 2005
new year...new changes
11 pm on January 1, 2005. This time last year, I had already made a big oops by replying to an email that I should not have replied to. So far, 2005 is starting out better :)
Garth, Mary and Tammi were over for New Year's. Lots of fun, great board game play and yummy snacks...and a little too much wine for me. Actually, it was only about 3.5 glasses spread over about 4 hours...but more than I have had in a long time. They were here late (for us anyhow), and I didn't get enough sleep. I'm so thankful that I was able to not be short tempered with Isaac at all today.
dinner tonight at my aunt and uncle's place, along with my cousin and her fiance. Both kids were great - even in a not-really-kid proofed home. I'm so in love with my little family. Great kids, wonderful husband - I couldn't ask for more in life! Isaac is communicating so much better these days, and that makes dealing with him way easier. Norah is just a sweetheart who totally goes with the flow. They are just fabulous - and cute to boot!
We're not going to go to church in the am, maybe we'll sleep in a bit. My sister has offered to take Isaac for a few hours in the afternoon, but we'll have to play that by ear. It will depend on the weather I think, and his mood. He's had so many *no* days lately. With the holidays and visiting and all our move prep, he's been stuck doing too much boring stuff, or been in lots of *don't touch* situations. He really needs a good day to run and play outside like a wild monkey, which will be pretty much impossible at her place.
OK, just checked the weather forecast. Supposed to be 1, but feeling like -3. Brrr. (Insert new mantra here: that's not cold!) Put this into perspective - they are calling for -27 in Meadow Lake tomorrow morning. What are we thinking??? Minus 27! With a high of minus 24!!! If SK wasn't so cold, I would be really excited about going. As it is, I'm pretty excited, but really hoping I don't freeze my bottom off...then again, easy way to slim down....
Garth, Mary and Tammi were over for New Year's. Lots of fun, great board game play and yummy snacks...and a little too much wine for me. Actually, it was only about 3.5 glasses spread over about 4 hours...but more than I have had in a long time. They were here late (for us anyhow), and I didn't get enough sleep. I'm so thankful that I was able to not be short tempered with Isaac at all today.
dinner tonight at my aunt and uncle's place, along with my cousin and her fiance. Both kids were great - even in a not-really-kid proofed home. I'm so in love with my little family. Great kids, wonderful husband - I couldn't ask for more in life! Isaac is communicating so much better these days, and that makes dealing with him way easier. Norah is just a sweetheart who totally goes with the flow. They are just fabulous - and cute to boot!
We're not going to go to church in the am, maybe we'll sleep in a bit. My sister has offered to take Isaac for a few hours in the afternoon, but we'll have to play that by ear. It will depend on the weather I think, and his mood. He's had so many *no* days lately. With the holidays and visiting and all our move prep, he's been stuck doing too much boring stuff, or been in lots of *don't touch* situations. He really needs a good day to run and play outside like a wild monkey, which will be pretty much impossible at her place.
OK, just checked the weather forecast. Supposed to be 1, but feeling like -3. Brrr. (Insert new mantra here: that's not cold!) Put this into perspective - they are calling for -27 in Meadow Lake tomorrow morning. What are we thinking??? Minus 27! With a high of minus 24!!! If SK wasn't so cold, I would be really excited about going. As it is, I'm pretty excited, but really hoping I don't freeze my bottom off...then again, easy way to slim down....
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